"Tsk tsk, this comic critic really knows how to spin a story," Xu Mo chuckled after sending his message. "But, in a way, he's right."
As the creator, Xu Mo understood the parallels drawn between the Ghouls and mutants, much like the parallels between the CCG's breach of the security zone and William Stryker's attack on the mutant school. What started as a fascinating exploration of these stories from another world had taken on a life of its own in the U.S., a place where bloody, violent narratives had a significant market.
Xu Mo reflected on how comic critic Edward's analysis had amplified the comics' impact. Uncle Andy had previously noted Edward's ability to stir public interest, and Xu Mo's recent comments had only added fuel to the fire.
Just then, Xu Mo's phone rang. "Uncle Andy, are the animation production staff here? Great, I'll head over right away."
Andy had informed him that the team was ready to begin production on the "One Punch Man" anime. The anime adaptation was expected to boost the comic's popularity, even though it was already selling hundreds of thousands of copies weekly. The potential reach of anime was far greater, attracting a broader audience than comics alone.
Xu Mo understood that the animation could captivate viewers who might not typically read comics. As he recalled from his past life, "One Punch Man" had become widely popular after its anime adaptation, drawing in people who hadn't even heard of it before. The same could be said for "Attack on Titan" and "Tokyo Ghoul"; despite their relatively mediocre art styles, their gripping stories and iconic opening songs had captivated audiences.
Upon arriving at Marvel Comics, Xu Mo left Jia Li at home and headed to a meeting with the animation production team. Marvel Comics had grown significantly, now occupying an entire floor with a staff of over twenty people, primarily involved in production.
Sitting at the head of the conference room table, Xu Mo addressed the team:
"I'm not an expert in animation production, but I have two key requirements."
"First, the animation must be visually exquisite with no noticeable drops in quality."
"Second, the pacing must be tight, with no filler content. The story should maintain a steady pace that aligns with the comics."
A man in his thirties, the leader of the animation group, raised a concern: "But this kind of production will require a substantial budget, and if we move too quickly, we might surpass the comic's storyline, leaving us with nothing to adapt."
He was an industry veteran, experienced in the nuances between manga and anime. He knew that a high-quality anime adaptation required significant financial investment, and keeping up with the weekly manga releases could lead to production issues.
Xu Mo reassured him with a smile, "Focus on making it visually stunning. Don't worry about the budget. As for the pacing, 'One Punch Man' will conclude with the first season. We'll move on to new projects afterward. The content is more than enough."
"One Punch Man" had only around a hundred chapters, enough to cover a full season of anime. Xu Mo was confident that the animation team could create something special, as long as they maintained quality and stayed true to the source material.
The group leader, still surprised by Xu Mo's dual role as boss and creator, nodded in agreement. He had seen other companies cut corners, sacrificing quality for quick profits. However, Xu Mo, being both the owner of Marvel and a cartoonist, was determined to protect the integrity of his work.
The team quickly got to work, and by the afternoon, they had produced a high-quality test clip. Xu Mo was impressed, feeling that the animation perfectly captured the vision he had for the series. With production underway, he was confident the anime would succeed and draw even more fans to the comics.
As he prepared to leave, Andy approached him, brimming with excitement. "Xu Mo, your new comics are causing quite a stir. Besides the media, many protestors against the Mutant Registration Act are holding Marvel magazines. It's bigger than the last time; even the news about the five astronauts preparing for a space mission has been overshadowed."
"Five astronauts?" Xu Mo mused, realizing it was likely the Fantastic Four and Doctor Doom.
He nodded, "It seems Edward's online analysis played a significant role in this."
Andy, puzzled, asked, "Huh? What do you mean?"
"Did you have any of these ideas before reading Edward's analysis?" Xu Mo quipped, raising an eyebrow. With a parting wave, he added, "Oh, and Uncle Andy, I'm adding two new long comics to the third issue and launching a new magazine."
"What's it called?" Andy inquired.
"You'll find out soon enough," Xu Mo replied, leaving Andy intrigued and eager for the next step in Marvel Comics' ambitious journey.